Published March 17, 2015 at 8:36 PM Updated March 23, 2015 at 11:43 AM

As Crimea marks one year since the area was annexed by Russia from Ukraine, it’s a time for many of its residents to reflect back on this historic shift. A Ukrainian poll released this month found a full 82 percent of Crimeans happy to be part of Russia while a small minority still view the move as illegal. CCTV’s Julia Lyubova filed this report from Crimea.

Crimea marks one year since annexation from Ukraine

Crimea marks one year since annexation from Ukraine

As Crimea marks one year since the peninsula was annexed by Russia from Ukraine, it's a time for many of its residents to reflect back on this historic shift. A Ukrainian poll released this month found a full 82 percent of Crimeans happy to be part of Russia while a small minority still view the move as illegal. CCTV's Julia Lyubova reported this story from Crimea.

Highlights:

Ukraine’s national census in 2001 showed that almost 60 percent of Crimea’s residents identify themselves as ethnic Russians.

Many Ukrainians are loyal to Kiev and chose to leave Crimea following Russia’s takeover, but some have stayed and continue to protest against the annexation.